Extensible typewriter stand

ABSTRACT

This specification discloses an extensible stand designed primarily for the support of typewriters. The stand comprises two complemental assemblies adjustable horizontally relative to one another. Each assembly comprises a vertical standard, a base or pedestal at the lower end of the standard, a table at the upper end of the standard, and two horizontal tubular supports. One of these supports extends laterally from the upright just below the table and the other extends laterally from the midpoint of the pedestal. The tubular supports of one assembly are telescopically received in those of the other assembly and mechanism is provided for locking these supports in an adjusted position. The present invention relates to extensible stands intended for the support of typewriters and is concerned primarily with a stand that is mobile, has a high degree of stability, is readily adjustable to accommodate a typewriter of a particular size, and is easily locked in an extended position.

United States Ifatent 2,410,330 lO/1946 Ashcnfelter 108/153 2,750,242 6/1956 Viehmann 108/ 83 3,441,974 5/1969 Dean 16/19 Primary ExaminerEdward C. Allen Attorney-Schellin and Hoffman ABSTRACT: This specification discloses an extensible stand designed primarily for the support of typewriters. The stand comprises two complemental assemblies adjustable horizontally relative to one another. Each assembly comprises a vertical standard, a base or pedestal at the lower end of the standard, a table at the upper end of the standard, and two horizontal tubular supports. One of these supports extends laterally from the upright just below the table and the other extends laterally from the midpoint of the pedestal. The tubular supports of one assembly are telescopically received in those of the other assembly and mechanism is provided for locking these supports in an adjusted position.

The present invention relates to extensible stands intended for the support of typewriters and is concerned primarily with a stand that is mobile, has a high degree of stability, is readily adjustable to accommodate a typewriter of a particular size, and is easily locked in an extended position.

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SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENT OR JOSE CLOSA BY MM JW ATTORNEYS EXTENSIBLE TYPEWRITER STAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At the present time a stand which receives and supports a typewriter is a piece of furniture that meets with widespread usev in offices and similar places. Such astand is subject to many conditions of usage a which must be accommodated if the stand is to meet with acceptance.

- stand should be located closely adjacent to the floor or other supporting surface. At the same time provision must be made for accommodation of the casters.

Accessibility of the stand to a typist is also an element of v great importance. The uprights or standards should be located I in such a manner that they will not interfere with a typist sitting at the stand with his or her legs disposed beneath the table and his or her feet resting on the floor between the pedestals.

Adjustability or more particularly extensibility is still 1 another factor of major importance. The stand as a whole, and

particularly the table elements, must be relatively adjustable to fit a typewriter of any size within conventional limits. Not only must the table elements be so adjustable but the pedestals -must also be relatively adjustable to maintain the stability above mentioned. It is equally important that these adjustments be easily carried out and, once achieved, the stand 4 readily locked in an adjusted position.

Finally, the stand should be of a lightweight but rugged and sturdy construction to withstand service usage. It should also be of such a structure that its individual components may be manufactured at minimum cost and readily assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing conditions are satisfied by the stand of this invention. This stand comprises two complemental assemblies or units, which when assembled provide the complete stand.

' Each assembly includes, as a characteristic element, a pedestal having a central portion that in use is disposed very close to the floor. Each end of the pedestal is integrally formed with upraised portions and extending laterally outwardly of 'these end portions are offset feet which carry casters.

Extending inwardly from the midpoint of each pedestal is a tubular horizontal support with the tube of one assembly being telescopically received in the tube of the other assembly. Mechanism is provided for locking the telescopic supports in an adjusted position.

Upstanding from the middle of the central portion of the pedestal is a socket member. Received in this socket is the lower end of a vertical standard or upright.

Each assembly also includes a table element. The latter has a narrow central portion carrying inwardly extending wings at each end. The central portion of the table is formed with a downwardly opening socket member that receives the upper end of the standard of that assembly. It is also formed with an anchorage for a laterally, inwardly extending support. Like the telescopic supports carried by the pedestals, the tube of one assembly is telescopically received in the tube of the other assembly and mechanism provided for locking the telescopic tubes in an adjusted position.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective of an extensible typewriter stand embodying the precepts of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view, partly in section and partly in elevation, being taken about on the planes represented by the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail taken on an enlarged scale and as a horizontalsection through one standard as indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and showing the pedestal in plan;

FIG. 4 is a top plan of the stand;

FIG. 5 is a detail taken as a section about on the plane represented by the line 55 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective depicting one telescopic support and the locking mechanism therefor in exploded relation.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts and first more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the typewriter stand of this invention is shown as comprising two complemental units or assemblies which are identified in their entireties by the reference characters A and B. These assemblies are similar in many respects and many elements are common to both. Thus in describing the details of one assembly, it will be understood the same details are present in the other unless otherwise stated.

Thus the unit A includes a pedestal or base element indicated generally at I0. It is of metal such as cast aluminum and is of a channel construction, being of an inverted U shape in cross section. The pedestal 10 comprises a central depressed portion I1 which terminates at each end in an upwardly and outwardly inclined part 12. Extending outwardly from outer end of each inclined part 12 is an end portion 13. Each of the latter is formed with a laterally outwardly extending foot 14 on which is mounted a tilted caster 15.

The parts ll, l2, l3 and 14 are an integral one-piece affair. The central portion 10 defines a wide angle as shown in FIG. 3 and at the apex of this angle, which is the midpoint of the pedestal the part 10 is formed with an upstanding socket member 16 which is square in horizontal cross section. The member 16 defines a square-shaped socket 17 (FIG. 3), and received in this socket 17 is a bushing 18, the inner and outer faces of which are formed with vertical serrations 19. While the bushing 18 may be of any suitable material, nylon may be considered as the preferred material for these bushings. 7

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, the central portion 11 of the pedestal of unit A is shown as formed with a horizontal transverse passage 20 of circular cross section immediately beneath the socket member 16. This passage opens onto the inner face of the pedestal and its outer end is partially closed by an inwardly extending flange 21 which constitutes an abutment for a purpose to be later described and defines an opening 22. A cylindrical bushing 23, preferably of nylon is received in the passage 20 with a pressed fit. The bushing 23 has an outer end flange which engages the flange 21 and defines an opening in alignment with the opening 22.

A tubular horizontal support 24 has an end anchored in bushing 23 with a pressed fit. This tube 24 telescopically receives a somewhat similar tube on this assembly B as will be later described. The tube 24 is of aluminum.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vertical standard 25 of tubular construction of square cross section has its lower end anchored in the bushing 18 with a pressed fit. It is preferably of a metal such as aluminum.

Each unit A and B includes a table element indicated generally at 26. The table 26 may be of a cast metal such as aluminum and comprises a narrow central portion 27 which terminates in winglike extensions 28 that extend laterally inwardly. These extensions 28 have upper surfaces that are roughened as indicated to afford a good frictional grip with the base of a typewriter resting thereon. The outer edges of table parts 27 and 28 are formed with an upstanding lip or flange 29 which retain a typewriter in position.

Adjacent to its outer edge the middle part 27 is formed with a pair of slots 30 which are used in securing other accessories to the table.

Extending downwardly from the midpoint of the central part 27 is a socket member 31 which is similar to the socket member 16 on the pedestal. It presents a downwardly opening socket of square cross section which receives a similarly shaped nylon bushing 32. Like the bushing 18 the surfaces of the bushing 32 are a serrated and the upper end of standard 25 is received in the bushing 32 with a pressed fit.

Above the socket member 31 the table element 26 is formed with a transverse passage 33 similar to the passage 20 in the pedestal. This passage is circular and a cylindrical bushing 34 of nylon is received therein. An upper tubular horizontal support 35 of aluminum has one end anchored in the bushing 34 with a pressed fit.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, it will be noted that the assembly B differs from assembly A in the nature of the horizontal tubular supports and the bushings which anchor them. Thus the unit B includes two horizontal tubular supports of aluminum, one at the top and one at the bottom. One of these is illustrated in FlG. 6 and designated 36. In a each case the bushing 23 or 34, as the case may be, is replaced by a bushing 37 that is split at 38 and its inner surface serrated is shown at 39. The end of each tube 36 is anchored in a bushing 37 that is received in one of the passages or 33.

The inner free end of each tube 36 is cut at an obtuse angle to provide a cam surface 40. A nylon cam block 41 has a complemental cam surface 42 which rides on the cam surface 40. A rod 43 has its inner end out-tumed and anchored in the block 41 as indicated at 44. This rod extends through tube 36 and its outer end portion is threaded at 45. This end portion extends through the opening 22 in the pedestal of unit B (FIG. 5) and screwed thereinto is a locking nut 46. The latter is formed with a knurled portion 47 which is adapted for hand engagement to rotate the nut 46. The latter has a shoulder 48 which bears against the outer face of pedestal 10 or table element 26 as the case may be.

It is evident that with the tube 37 received in the tube 24, by way of example, a telescopic relation is established. With the nut 46 loose, there is no finn engagement between the cam surfaces 40 and 42 on the tube 37 and block 41. Thus the units A and B may be adjusted relative to one another to achieve a desired extended relation. The nuts 46 are then tightened to cause the blocks 41 to ride on the cam surfaces 40 which forces the blocks into locking engagement with the bores of tubes 24 and 35.

It is evident that the above structure satisfies all of the conditions outlined in the Background of the Invention, The shape and design of the pedestals assures of a maximum of stability at the same time providing mobility. The table elements may be adjusted to fit a typewriter of any size within a wide range. The central location of the standards and horizontal supports avoids any structure which might interfere with a typist sitting at the stand. Moreover, the stand may be securely locked in an adjusted position.

While preferred specific embodiments of the invention are hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact mechanisms, materials, and constructions illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a typewriter stand comprising two relatively adjustable units each of which includes a pedestal, a vertical standard upstanding from the midpoint of the pedestal, a table element connected centrally to the upper end of the standard. a lower horizontal supporting tube outstanding from the midpoint of the pedestal. and an upper horizontal supporting tube outstanding from the upper end of the standard; the tubes of the other one unit being telescopically received in the tubes of the other unit; mechanism for locking said tubes in an adjusted position; each pedestal is formed with a horizontal passage. each table element is formed with a horizontal passage. and an end of each horizontal supporting tube is received in one of said plassages.

2. he typewriter stand of claim I in which each pedestal has a central depressed portion, outwardly and upwardly inclined portions integrally joined to the ends of the central portion, and horizontal ends portions integral with the ends of said inclined portions and terminating in outwardly laterally extending feet to which the casters are attached.

3. The typewriter stand of claim 2, in which the central portion of each pedestal has the shape of a wide angle with the apex of the angle located at the midpoint of the pedestal.

4. The typewriter stand of claim 1 in which the standards are of tubular construction, the pedestals have upstanding socket members receiving the lower ends of the standards, and the table elements have downwardly extending socket members receiving the upper ends of the standards.

5. The typewriter stand of claim 4 in which nylon bushings are interposed between each end of each standard and the socket member in which it is received.

6. The typewriter stand of claim 1 in which the tubular supports are of circular cross section, the passages are circular; and nylon bushings are interposed between each end of a tubular support and the wall of the passage in which it is received.

7. The typewriter stand of claim 1 in which the tubular supports of one unit have inclined ends presenting cam surfaces, together with blocks slidable in the other tubular supports and having cam surfaces engaging the cam surfaces on the first said tubular supports, a rod having one end anchored to said block and extending outwardly through the first said tubular supports and through openings in the pedestal and table element of the unit having the first said tubular supports, the outer ends of said rods being threaded, and lock nuts on said threaded ends.

8. The typewriter stand of claim 7 in which said tubular supports are circular in cross section and said block is circular.

9. The typewriter stand of claim 1 in which each table element includes a narrow central portion and laterally inwardly extending wings at the ends thereof, the outer edges of each table element having upstanding retaining flanges. 

1. In a typewriter stand comprising two relatively adjustable units each of which includes a pedestal, a vertical standard upstanding from the midpoint of the pedestal, a table element connected centrally to the upper end of the standard, a lower horizontal supporting tube outstanding from the midpoint of the pedestal, and an upper horizontal supporting tube outstanding from the upper end of the standard; the tubes of the other one unit being telescopically received in the tubes of the other unit; mechanism for locking said tubes in an adjusted position; each pedestal is formed with a horizontal passage, each table element is formed with a horizontal passage, and an end of each horizontal supporting tube is received in one of said passages.
 2. The typewriter stand of claim 1 in which each pedestal has a central depressed portion, outwardly and upwardly inclined portions integrally joined to the ends of the central portion, and horizontal ends portions integral with the ends of said inclined portions and terminating in outwardly laterally extending feet to which the casters are attached.
 3. The typewriter stand of claim 2, in which the central portion of each pedestal has the shape of a wide angle with the apex of the angle located at the midpoint of the pedestal.
 4. The typewriter stand of claim 1 in which the standards are of tubular construction, the pedestals have upstanding socket members receiving the lower ends of the standards, and the table elements have downwardly extending socket members receiving the upper ends of the standards.
 5. The typewriter stand of claim 4 in which nylon bushings are interposed between each end of each standard and the socket member in which it is received.
 6. The typewriter stand of claim 1 in which the tubular supports are of circular cross section, the passages are circular; and nylon bushings are interposed between each end of a tubular support and the wall of the passage in which it is received.
 7. The typewriter stand of claim 1 in which the tubular supports of one unit have inclined ends presenting cam surfaces, together with blocks slidable in the other tubular supports and having cam surfaces engaging the cam surfaces on the first said tubular supports, a rod having one end anchored to said block and extending outwardly through the first said tubular supports and through openings in the pedestal and table element of the unit having the first said tubular supports, the outer ends of said rods being threaded, and lock nuts on said threaded ends.
 8. The typewriter stand of claim 7 in which said tubular supports are circular in cross section and said block is circular.
 9. The typewriter stand of claim 1 in which each table element includes a narrow central portion and laterally inwardly extending wings at the ends thereof, the outer edges of each table element having upstanding retaining flanges. 